Bus Rider’s Safety Handbook

Bus Rider’s Handbook

The following rules have been adopted by the bus drivers and the administration as being necessary for the safety of the students and the maintenance of the buses. Transportation is a privilege: If a violation occurs students will be in jeopardy of losing this privilege.

All rules will be in effect on all buses while students are being transported to and from school or on field trips or after school activates

The driver is in full charge of the bus and students. Students must obey and show respect to the driver. On field trips, the teacher, sponsor, or coach is in charge of student discipline.

Students must be at the designated bus stop 5 minutes prior to the arrival of the bus. Students must stand ten (10) feet back from the road. Buses are on a schedule and cannot wait.

It is recommended that students wait for the bus to arrive on the same side of the street as they reside. Students are to always cross the road in front of the bus and to wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.

Students are to enter or leave the bus in an orderly manner, only at the front door, after the bus has come to a complete stop – except in case of an emergency. Students must not tamper with the emergency exits.

Students are to remain seated facing the front at all times and may leave their designated bus stop only. The driver has the right to assign students to certain seats to promote order on the bus.

Students are to keep arms and head inside the bus windows.

Student conversation and behavior should not be loud and distracting to the driver. Swearing, vulgar language or gestures are not permitted.

No eating, drinking will be allowed on the bus.

Due to allergies, asthma, sensitivity; perfume, cologne, hair/body sprays, deodorant, air fresheners, or any other chemical are not permitted on the bus.

Failure to show respect verbally (threatening, antagonizing, provoking, teasing, etc.) and failure to show respect physically (kicking, tripping, pushing, shoving, hitting, biting, spitting, etc.) to other students will not be permitted.

Throwing things from, into, or at the bus and/or others will not be permitted.

Parents are allowed to have two (2) pickup/drop off. One (1) primary and (1) Alternate drop.

Due to safety of all students, all pickup and drop off locations must meet federal and state guidelines as legal bus stops before being approved. Parents must call the school office before 2:00 pm in order to request the alternate bus drop for that day.

Parents requesting permission for drop off at a location other than their designated bus drops, must contact the Transportation Office directly at (269) 432-3231 ext. 12004, no later than 2:00 pm.

In cases of an emergency after 2:00 pm, where there is a need to change a drop location (to either a designated or non-designated drop off point), please contact the Transportation Office directly at (269) 432-3231 ext. 12004.

Cellular phones or any other type of communication device capable of texting, talking or displaying images, video or any type of messaging must be turned off at all times while on the bus. Laser pens and pointers are absolutely forbidden at all times. Remember that the School Bus are an extension of the School. As such all policies and procedures set by the School Board and Administration apply while on the bus.

Band instruments must be small enough that the student can hold them on their lap or it may be resting on the floor between their legs. They cannot take up seat space or block aisles. Large instruments will have to be transported by parents.

Glass or breakable containers, live animals/insects are not permitted on the bus.

When long-term absence due to illness or injury which your child maybe out of school an extended period of time, parents are encouraged to notify the Transportation Department by calling (269) 432-3231 ext. 12004

A Three (3) consecutive day No Call No Show rule is in effect. Parents it is important to notify the Transportation Department. If your child/children did not ride the bus for three (3) consecutive days. On the fourth (4th) day the driver is not required to stop for pick up until the Transportation Department is called to resume transportation. Exception to this is bus suspensions.

Students must recognize that transportation is a privilege and not a right.

Infractions of the above rules could result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions include the issuance of a Bus Conduct Slip, short or long term suspension from the bus, short or long-term suspension from school, expulsion from school and the filing of charges with law enforcement authorities. Buses are equipped with video equipment and students may be monitored at any time to ensure a safe bus ride and to help with discipline. Due to confidentiality laws, parents are not permitted to view video from buses. Parents may request an Administrator to view the video on their behalf.

Bus Misconduct Categories – When students receive Bus Conduct Slips, the offenses will fall into the following categories:

Violation of Safety Procedures

Not crossing in front of the bus

Not waiting for the safety signal

Not standing a safe distance from road

Tampering with the emergency exits

Not remaining seated

Changing seats while the bus is moving

Putting head or hands out of the window

Not keeping the aisle clear

Destruction of Property

Writing on seats

Cutting or poking holes in seats

Breaking windows or mirrors

Throwing things at the bus

Burning of seats

Unacceptable Language or Behavior

Swearing

Vulgar language or gestures

Sexual harassment

Violation of Driver or Bus Rules

Not sitting in assigned seat

Not riding the assigned bus

Exiting the bus without permission

Use of cell phones

Bringing Prohibited Items on the Bus

Guns

Knives

Weapons

Matches

Alcohol

Glass

Live animals

Laser pens

Sharp objects

Fireworks

Illegal substances or paraphernalia

Loud, Rude, Discourteous, Annoying

Rude to the driver or students

Yelling or screaming

Loud and distracting conversation

Teasing

Antagonizing

Provoking

Threatening

Eating, Drinking, Littering

Eating

Drinking

Throwing things on or from the bus

Throwing objects at driver or student

Fighting, Pushing, Tripping

Shoving

Spitting

Biting

Punching

Kicking

Hitting

CONSEQUENCES FOR MISCONDUCT ON THE SCHOOL BUS

The Transportation Supervisor and School Administration shall exercise discretion in implementing any disciplinary actions with respect to the misconduct noted. A student who misbehaves on the bus may receive one of the following.

Verbal Warning – The driver will warn the student that his/her misconduct will not be tolerated. The driver may give the student an assigned seat.

Level 1 – A warning ticket will be issued and sent home with the student to the parent/guardian, with a copy to the principal. The ticket will contain a description of the misconduct. The student will not be allowed to board the bus again until the ticket is signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the driver by the student.

Level 2 – A ticket will be issued and sent home with the student to the parent/guardian, with a copy to the principal. The Transportation Supervisor will make one documented attempt to contact the parent or guardian. The ticket will contain a description of the misconduct. The student will lose his/her privileges up to three (3) days. The ticket must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the driver when transportation resumes.

Level 3 – A ticket will be issued for additional offenses that warrant a bus suspension of five (5) duration. Under certain exceptional and unusual circumstances, the seriousness or grossness of these offenses may warrant immediate suspension of bus riding privileges. It is the responsibility of the student to notify his/her parent or guardian of the ticket and/or suspension. The Transportation Supervisor and Administration will be involved in all suspensions and will make the final determination. The ticket must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the driver when transportation resumes.

Level 4– A ticket will be issued and sent home with the student to the parent/guardian, with a copy to the principle of the offenses that warrant a bus suspension of up to ten (10) days or greater. The Transportation Supervisor will make one documented attempt to contact the parent or guardian of the suspension. Prior to transportation resuming the parent/guardian will schedule a meeting with the Transportation Supervisor.

Suspension of Transportation Privileges

Students who disobey transportation rules shall be subject to suspension of their bus riding privileges, including out of town sporting events and field trips. The School Administration may exercise discretion in the immediate suspension of privileges. Depending on the particular circumstances of individual cases. Suspensions to be imposed for serious violations are set forth below:

Fighting, Pushing, Tripping – one (1) days, or up to ten (10) school days, Transportation Supervisor will discuss with Administration. Parent/Guardian will be contacted by the Transportation Supervisor

Destruction of Property – Three (3) Days. Parents/guardians of student involved will be financially responsible for damages.

Lighting Matches or lighters – One (1) or more days, at the discretion of the Administration and or Transportation Supervisor.

Physical Abuse – Any student guilty of physically abusing a school bus driver in any manner shall have transportation privileges suspended, at the discretion of the Administration and or Transportation Supervisor

Please read over the bus responsibilities—remember riding the Bus is a privilege by going over this with your child/children will ensure that he/she has a Great school year.